Universal Music announced this week that, as of December 2006 and in order to fight pirating and peer-to-peer programs, they will be offering 50% of their catalog free-of-charge.

I first thought it sounded like a case of “if you can’t beat them, join them”.

But then:

• You’ll have to listen to publicity for 90 seconds before starting your download
• The sound files will “auto-destroy” after 6 months

Hmmm… I wonder what they’ll come up with when this idea fails?